General Brackish Puffer questions

[kwbragg]

Good morning all,

A few brackish puffer questions.

Does anyone keep their F8's at a lower salinity then 1.005 (like 1.003) in planted tanks aside from java fern and java moss?

Does anyones GSP's window surf most of the day after a water change.

Are anyone's GSP's picky about food if it isn't crawling, wriggling etc (the food, not the puffers). I have 2 GSP's, one will eat whatever, the other samples thawed food at best but will fight for live food...used to love thawed crushed clams now is "eh" towards them most of the time. Possibly a fasting day is in order? The same picky puffer will sometimes pounce on snails and on other days he'll totally ignore them...which means the other usually gets more then his share.

I have only had my GSP's a couple of months, and I am used to the F8's behavior of self imposed gluttony if I allow it...I've kept many F8's, these are my first GSPs.

Does anyone use Vita-chem?

Tanks are: 40 gal long F8 Tank, ph 8.0, SG 1.003, temp 79F housing 2 F8's, 2BBG.
55 gal tank, Ph 8.0, SG 1.010, temp 78F housing 2 juvi GSP's (maybe an inch each), 2 blue legged hermit crabs
Ammonia and nitrite 0 with barely detectable nitrates

[Agnate]

Some puffers are known to be picky. You can try soaking his frozen food in garlic for 1-2 hours before feeding him (squash a clove of garlic and put it in the tank water you're using to thaw the food).

My Ceylons COWER every time I do a water change - window surfing is the least of my worries, haha! A good habit to get into is to feed your puffers right after a water change. This gives them the signal that, after the dreaded water change, delicious meals will be on the way.

I've never owned F8s, but I know there is a decent list of brackish plants you can look at (I believe the sticky is in the Brackish Tanks forum - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4792). Give it a read-through, as I believe some people list some brackish plants that can work at low salt levels.

I've never used Vita-chem, so I can't comment.

[Pufferpunk]

Blue-legged hermits? So that tank is marine?

Here is a great link to info about BW plants: http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=143235

I just ordered FW & SW Vitachem from DFS (if you're planning on an order from them, ask me about a rebate). I also use Selcon for SW.

[Agnate]

Blue-legged hermits? So that tank is marine?

I was actually just wondering how well they were doing!

[kwbragg]

No, the tank isn't marine, but the blue legged hermit crabs from what I understand can be acclimated to a SG no lower than say 1.010. I can't find the link(s) where I got the info, but I know one source was http://www.wetwebmedia.com. You just have to make sure they are not red legged hermit crabs (which look very similar) and that they are acclimated slowly. Mine have made quick work of the algae that was starting on top of my sand and they have been around for at least 2 months now with no signs of distress.

Ah, here's the link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/ ... ackish.htm

[Pufferpunk]

Interesting! Neale writes good articles.

[kwbragg]

I just ordered FW & SW Vitachem from DFS

I have SW Vita-chem (didn't know they made FW until just recently). Is it ok to use in a brackish setup or would I be better of getting the FW variety?

[Pufferpunk]

FW & SW fish have different nutrient requirements. That's why I ordered 2 bottles. Someone correct me, if this is just a marketing hype.

[kwbragg]

FW & SW fish have different nutrient requirements. That's why I ordered 2 bottles. Someone correct me, if this is just a marketing hype.

It looks like there are a few added ingredients to the marine mix: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/a ... CatId=4998 most notably marine sponges and marine plankton extract as opposed to freshwater plankton extract, but that aside,it looks like most of the ingredients are pretty similar.

Like I said, I didn't even know there was a FW version...I don't think my LFS did either!

But it should be ok as a vitamin sup for now right?